cellent condition, reports Lee, except dience investigated, and found a there was no air pressure in the con­ 39-year-old tourist from Hoboken, ¥8)( P8PI sole so the combo buttons didn't N .J. trapped in a walled-in opera box change registration. Next, Lee at the top of a stairway. Paramedics, visited Knoxville and the Tennessee employing a block and tackle, res­ Theatre on Gay St. He was again cued the victim who said he was rob­ treated courteously by the manager bed of $900 and beaten in the theatre and permitted ample time to play the three nights previously. A broken organ, which he had not experienced ankle and head cut were reminders since 1978. He reports that the thea­ that the spirit of Ming the Merciless tre, organ and the red and gold con­ prevailed. sole are in remarkably good condi­ tion, adding "this has to be one of the better installations in the country Does anyone have a spare 3 or 4 today." manual Wurlitzer console they'll sell But is it pipe organs which inspire to a TO club in Scotland? The East those long drives from Lee's Nash­ Kilbride Cinema Organ Society has ville home? Not entirely. The guy is a Conducted . by Stu Green bought the 2/ l O from the Edinburgh football nut, and he goes where the Victoria Cinema, the last Wurlitzer college games are played. But he ad­ left in Robert Burns country. They Readers are encouraged to submit in­ mits to the added incentive for those want to enlarge it by about 6 ranks teresting sidelights on the organ hob­ long drives if there are also pipes at but there is no room for expansion by (exclusive of chapter news items}, the end of the rainbow. material they believe will be of general on the original console. The cost of a interest about local organ activities new console would be prohibitive, and installations, and the people who says Cyril Wood, the club's secre­ work at the hobby. We know "there's tary, so they will opt for a used key­ VOX POPS in them there chapters " A new dimension was added to the desk if one is available. We'll gladly and if requires only a 1c postcard to movie program during a showing of forward any pertinent information. get the message to the VOX POPS Flash Gordon recently in Ogden, Editor, Box 3564 , Granada Hills, California 91344. If the contributor Utah's Orpheum Theatre. The inci­ can spare a 18¢ stamp , please include dent described as ''The Phan ton of Our man in South Africa, Arthur a contrasty black and white photo the Orpheum,'' but theatre and Hovis, informs us that the4/14 Wur­ which need not be returned. police officers found it far from litzer in the 20th Century Theatre in amusing. Patrons told police that Johannesburg had the distinction of during the movie, screams for help being the last new Wurli to be in­ Some time ago we reported the ef­ were heard, coming from behind the stalled in a major theatre anywhere forts of a small dedicated group of screen. Two police officers in the au- - 1940. Arthur says it is very highly enthusiasts in Lockport, N. Y. which hoped to install a theatre organ in the Palace Theatre there. According to prime mover Gregory Nellist the deal BRING ME THE collapsed due to complications with EARTHLING, GORDON. the owners of the house. That is not the end of the story. A nearby senior citizens home recently spent $4,000 to build a pipe chamber to accommo­ date the instrument which was to have gone into the Palace. This may be a theatre-organ first - an install­ ation in a senior citizens home. Watch these pages as the story develops. HELP! ~ l'VE GOT Tennessee A TOSer Lee Green A BROKEN visited two original 3/ 13 Wurlitzer theatre installations in his state dur­ TIBIA! ing November last, and found both in very good condition and manage­ ment cooperative. The first was the Orpheum on Main St. in Memphis. The manager permitted Lee to play before the evening show. The dome theatre and organ were both in ex-

22 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/ MAY 1981 unified, with most voices available at tried to hold the plug into the socket. four pitches. The design was by It was a Communion service with a South Africa's prominent organist, lot of playing. Then, the plug started Dean Herrick. It is currently in­ smoking. A day later, we found that stalled in a former church hall in the hot plug had been laid on a cush­ Knysna and is owned by Eric ioned seat and it burned its way Schroder. through. Bert says, "It's a wonder we didn't have a fire." Pursuant to its policy of trying out ~ new ventures, the Radio City Music The North Texas ATOS Chapter Hall on January 24th, 25th, and had a bright idea; why not stage an 26th, presented a very rare film, old fashioned movie show at old made in 1927, one which runs for fashioned prices? They planned it over four hours. It was Abel Gance's for Dallas' John Beck Hall which classic silent Napoleon, which never houses the former El Paso Plaza achieved status due to its limited Theatre 3/15 Wurlitzer. Then they showing originally. For the Music talked Charlie Evans into accom­ Hall performances, a new and orig­ panying the chosen feature film, inal score was composed by Carmine Broken Blossoms, with Lillian Gish Coppola and played by the 60-piece David Peckham . He attracted a larger than usual and Richard Barthelmes. Charlie put American Symphony Orchestra and audience. a lot of effort into selecting his score, organist Leonard Raver of the New mostly from his own library. Show York Philharmonic and teacher at house organist Tom Grierson. Twen­ night was January 30th and the film Juilliard. ty years have passed since that mile­ played to a full house. The raves Raver was loud in his praise for the s tone in David's life, and now he has which followed the performance MH Wurlitzer. "I've been having been making a name for himself were another type of music. But, you the most wonderful treat, living a at consoles in upstate New York. His ask, how does this differ from all the dream come true. The organ is prob­ latest achievement occurred on Jan­ other silent movie shows described in ably the last of the great theatre uary 16th when he played before his these pages? The difference was the organs and any organist would give largest audience at Rochester's Au­ admission price - fifty cents his eyeteeth to play it. With four ditorium Theatre. At the ex-Palace ($0.50!). It was partly an effort to at­ manuals, full pedal-board, 4300 console, he entertained 1433 devotees tract new members, and with admis­ pipes and even a grand piano built in­ in a varied program. Included was a sion prices to movies edging upward to it, it is also notable for its brass novel treatment of E.T. Paull's from $5 .00 and live show admissions and tremolos." "The Midnight Fire Alarm" which gone through the roof, chances of utilized photos and Currier & Ives success are great. sketches on slides to illustrate old­ But how do they do it for half a New Yorkers who heard Christ­ time fire-fighting. David also accom­ buck? mas music clanging from the panied Teddy at the Throttle starring Carillon in St. Patrick's Cathedral a very young Gloria Swanson and were actually hearing Lee Erwin, on Wallace Beery. Even in blustery While visiting Utah over the coded tape or live. Lee's interest in weather, the lure of David Peckham Christmas holidays, Californian El­ Carillons started when the very able playing the well-maintained 4/22 bert Dawson did some sleuthing for Don Schwing (who services the Wurlitzer was a potent magnet for us on local organ matters. In Salt ATOS 2/ 13 "Little Mother" in Car­ folks who would otherwise have not Lake City he learned that work on negie Hall Cinema) was called on to braved the elements. Dr. Conrad Jenson's home installa­ devise an electronic system to ring tion is progressing again after a long the huge bells. Don and Lee worked delay caused by puzzling technical ~ogether on the project and Lee en­ Talk about troubles connected difficulties. Cal Christensen is now coded the tapes which control the with pipe organs! Bert Buhrman, or­ working on the 14-ranker (plus ringing mechanism. But Lee played ganist of the School of the Ozarks, piano) and has solved some major it live for the Christmas midnight has had them recently. ''The 3/ 15 problems. And Larry Bray has made Mass, broadcast on national TV. Wurlitzer's reservoirs had a much some changes in his Organ Loft Lee says, "Interest in theatre or­ needed releathering, but the trems building to enhance the sound of the gans has some interesting side ef­ got messed up in the aftermath. 5/34 Wurli. He has added a sound­ fects." We're trying to get the fellow who ing board to reflect the music so did the work, back to get them in "you're really surrounded by the ~ order.'' organ. The chambers go right When organist David Peckham While the chapel's Skinner is around you. It's more than stereo - was three weeks old in 1960, his down, a Hammond is being used. it's quad," says Larry. parents brought the infant into the During the February 1st service, an About a year ago we heard that RKO Palace Theatre in Rochester to adapter which was hooked into the Joanne Harmon built a new home hear the Wurlitzer as played by electric line, went dead. A choir boy but didn't plan to install her theatre

APRIL / MAY 1981 THEATRE ORGAN 23 organ in it. So what became of the clivities as a jazz pianist and com­ organ? Elbert found out; it was sold poser. After his first experience at an to Rudy Frey of San Bruno, Calif. organ console, his remark was, "Man, what a crazy pi-anna!"

~ The elegant "slick" magazine, The Wichitan, in evaluating local George Wright playing a pizzery citizens, has saddled Billy Nalle with gig? Unusual but not without the "Most Enthusiastic Trans­ precedents. George's February 9th planted Wichitan" award. Twas but concert was held at Mike Ohman's a few years ago that the talented lad Great American Wind Machine swung his twin carpetbags aboard pasta parlor (G.A.W.M. for short) the stage for Wichita after a disas­ in Reseda, Calif. Because of limited trous decade of unmitigated success seating (340), admission was a whop­ cueing "soaps" in Gotham City, ping $10.00 a ducat. Customer resis­ which he referred to as ''Nineveh on tance was nil; the place was packed. the Hudson." Billy and Wichita George, looking more robust than seem to have ''meshed'' and if we we've seen him of late, and attired in sound a bit envious it's because we Karl Cole. So Michigan fought in 6/8 tempo. his almost white suit, had some sur­ prises. George, Mike and others had like our longstanding two word ball season Karl spent his 'half time' description of Billy better than reworked the organ to sound like the breaks at the jam packed Pied Piper type Jesse Crawford preferred. This Wichita's four words. We dubbed Pizza Peddler in Warren, Michigan, him ''terminal Optimist.'' gave George an incentive to play with Betty Mason, Sally Johnson some of his recreations of Jesse's ~ and their guests from London, famous 78's. Washington, and New England. At Although CA TOE was successful It also brought George into close one point Karl mentioned that the proximity with his audience. They in helping to save the Chicago Thea­ fans were insisting on the 'Michigan tre, it appears that the Oriental is literally surrounded the console plat­ Fight Song' - which he'd never form. This gave him an opportunity doomed. According to Variety, the heard. Somehow, amid noise levels place is to be shuttered before May to banter with his audience mem­ approaching the threshold of pain, bers, something he does well. 3rd. The owners sought and received Betty and Sally called out the melody the green light to terminate the lease During the course of the evening notes and chord changes while Karl George announced that he had been with the operators who have been wrote them on an available napkin. showing a steady diet of martial art selected to premiere the Oakland Then back to the United Artist Wur­ Paramount's organ, probably in No­ films and others. Also, dissatisfac­ litzer console where cool-Karl played tion over the run-down status of the vember. He also mentioned that Ken the 'Fight Song' to the delight of the Kukuk had winded his developing house - poor cleaning, rats in the foot-stamping, sing-along audience. balcony, etc., was another reason for home installation and like all first Was it the definitive version of the windings it sounded mighty sour. closing. college classic? Not quite. Somebody The 3200-seat Oriental was open­ Then he told his audience that forgot to tell Karl that the rhythm Mike Ohman had donated all con­ ed in 1926, and achieved fame as the was 4/ 4 rather than 6/8.'' haven of Paul Ash and his Merry cert receipts to further the Wright Madcap Gang. At the 4/20 Wurlitzer home installation (he's been hit by for a long period was Henri A. inflation, like all of us). His closer Keates, the Oriental Organ Rajah, was his famous arrangement of the famous for his community singing Radio station WOR, New York, ''Stars and Stripes Forever,'' com­ novelties. Future plans call for a has an afternoon talk show, hosted plete with Piccolo tweets during the 50,000 square-foot shopping mall on by Jack O'Brien. Awhile back, ac­ Trio. the first two stories. Above this cording to Mrs. Dolph Gobel, would be a 1600-seat theatre which O'Brien had as his guest, Lawrence would retain the Oriental's fancy in­ Bergreen who has authored a new One ATOS member who disagrees terior. Rumors have the Wurlitzer book on the early days of radio, with Lee Erwin's recent statement in going into a hotel ballroom which "Look Now, Pay Later." Reminis­ the New York Times that New York has chambers but never had an cing about radio in the twenties, Jack City "wasn't much of a theatre or­ organ. recalled hearing Ted McCormick gan town," is Doc Bebko, who can read poetry over WL W, Cincinnati, be classed as an authority on the sub­ while a fell ow by the name of ject, as he was active there in the Our music reviewer, Walt Beau­ Thomas Waller played pipe organ great era. pre, writes about organist Karl Cole. background music. The show aired Doc says, "Let's look at the rec­ '' In addition to being one of the between one and two in the morning, ord. Doc Baker told me that the classiest Matinee Idols on the pizza/ and Waller was an unknown until he Rivoli's Wurlitzer was a 'block­ pipes circuit, he has a hidden talent became "Fats." Most people don't buster.' Henry B. Murtagh's favorite for 'instant music.' One Friday eve­ know it, but Fats Waller was a ter­ theatre, the Rialto, had a 3/15 Wur­ ning at the height of the college foot- rific organist in addition to his pro- litzer with much presence. The

24 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL/ MAY 1981 Capitol's Mauro-Cottone at the Es­ tey was a great favorite of mine. Herbert Henderson at the Piccadilly's 4/28 Marr & Colton; the 3-console 34-rank Roxy Kimball with Lew White, Emil Valazco, etc.; the Beacon's 4/20 Wurlitzer; Hippo­ drome's 4/28 Wurlitzer with Walter Wild and John Priest; Brooklyn Strand with John Hammond; RKO Chester with Raul de Toledo Galvao (Paul Brass); the Crawfords and Sig­ mund Krumgold at the Paramount, plus the many broadcasts originated. "I skipped as many as I men­ tioned: Jack Ward, Dick Leibert, Ann Leaf, Ashley Miller, Ray Bohr, etc. Lee Erwin was from the South, played there and in Cincinnati after the big era, not in New York." True, but we are glad he's carrying the torch in New York now.

Bud Taylor is very much alive . (Stufoto) Just before the holidays, organist Rosa Rio was observed on cable TV climbed the stairs to the gallery to see it known that he is alive and well and covering the Housatonic Valley area, if there was any possibility of press­ living in retirement in Carmichael, lending her talents to the Marines' ing the Lewis into service. He pushed California. "Toys for Tots" project. the start button and prayed. Outside of one brief cipher and a Clarinet which was permanently "on," the In the little town of Carnation, Organist Frank Olsen, back from venerable Lewis behaved well, right Washington, is a tavern which looks Scotland where he was made Hono­ to the end of the concert. The inci­ more like a church than a bistro. It is rary President of the newly formed dent aroused the interest of club called "Goliath's Pit," Goliath be­ East Kilbride Cinema Organ Society, members in search of a project. It ing a 3-manual Wurlitzer organ orig­ tells of a concert he played for the looks as though the Lewis will be re­ inally installed in a Salem, Oregon group in the Town Hall at Ayr. The stored by them. theatre in 1926. Like its name, the building has stirred up some goliath­ club had toted in an electronic while ~ ignoring the ancient 3/30 Lewis size controversies between the straight organ slumbering in the gal­ Dolton McAlpin reports that the 2/6 owner, Kirk Whitcombe, and the au­ lery. Frank says the first half of the Robert Morton from the razed thorities. Such things as building concert went well, but after intermis­ Baton Rouge Paramount, may have height, septic system, ramp for sion they couldn't restart the elec­ a second life yet. Recall that it was handicapped, firewood stacked out­ tronic. Frank was desperate as he badly damaged during a rough trans­ side the front door, unpopped pop­ fer, and Dolton feared for its life. corn kernels on the floor, and a li­ However, reports of its demise may quor license, all were seized upon, have been exaggerated. It has been simply because officials didn't want purchased by organ enthusiasts Bob another tavern in the town. Things and Tippy Garner for installation in have been resolved, though, and their Jackson, Mississippi home - after council meetings, the members as soon as they can untie the knots in now adjourn to Goliath's Pit for re­ the String pipes. freshment. Whitcombe plans to run for mayor next fall. ~ ~ . Another case of a passing being exaggerated comes from organist The long, involved project to re­ Bud Taylor. He wants it known that store Shea's Buffalo 4/28 Wurlitzer he's not dead. Bud first heard of his is about one-third completed, ac­ "demise" when friends phoned and cording to one of the workers, Dave when he answered there was a stunned Vanderhoek. First, management silence followed by a surprised built a new workshop on the seventh "you're alive!" Bud doesn't know floor next to the elevator, complete Frank Olsen. An adventure in Scotland. how the rumor got started but wants with tables, electric outlets, air com-

APRIL/ MAY 1981 THEATRE ORGAN 25 pressor, handsaw and wood planer. have hearing problems before Chard Walker recalls listening to a The new location is warm and dry as they're 25." regularly scheduled 15-minute organ compared with the old shop which radiocast from KGER, Long Beach, was under the Pearl Street sidewalk. Calif. The station had a small (ca. 7 "The right side of the six-chamber ranks) studio Wurlitzer and the organ is mostly rebuilt and wiring in player then (in the '30s) was well­ the telephone cable q-tronics multi­ known theatre organist Ira Swett. plex system is starting. Our console During Ira's opening theme the in California is refinished in dark organ simply quit. What to do? For­ mahagony, and is now having the tunately Ira was a resourceful man. stopkeys fitted." He stepped to the microphone and in Dave states that since the Buffalo a voice which revealed no trace of the has been declared a performing arts confusion in the station as the techni­ center, rock shows are included. "On cians tried to find the trouble, he January 26th, the sound crew was gave a 14-minute impromptu talk testing a several-hundred-watt sys­ about the work of his sponsor, the tem, and the resulting over-powering Salvation Army. Chard says the re­ sound explosion easily exceeded that sult coming from his dome-topped of the Wurlitzer as I remember it. Philco sounded as though the pro­ How do the kids stand it? They'll gram had been planned that way. □

Dan Semer . Sergeant Preston was there . (Stufoto) Keep in The name of Dan Semer will be ENJOY one to be heard with increasing fre­ touch with quency in the years ahead. The 29-year-old artist has had a struggle the British to become known in places other Peace than Detroit, where he played two Theatre memorable concerts and is slated for Pipes Organ a third; and in Rochester where he entertained 1205 on February 13th at & Scene! the Auditorium. He has showman­ ship as evidenced by his flashy ap­ People parel, rapport with his audience, and Subscribe to "'­ even more important, he knows his The Journal of the way around a 4-manual console. In Cinema Organ Society , Rochester, he proceeded to employ a quarterly publi cation voices and effects which haven't at the featuring been exploited during the past couple photos , history , stoplists , of years. His program included ATOS biographies and numbers rarely heard on the circuit. te chnical articles .. . For example, he played Von Res­ 26th Pl us montly newl ett ers nicek's "Donna Diana Overture" of the latest th eatr e organ and asked the audience to name the ANNUAL news , events , and radio program for which it served as record reviews . a theme. One person correctly identi­ CONVENTION fied "Challenge of the Yukon" with Sergeant Preston. Dan is hopeful of in Send $15.00 (U.S.) or $18.00 (Ca­ launching a record, made on the nadian) for membership in The DTOC Wurlitzer, but has been frus­ Cinema Organ Society. Includes trated for 10 months by processors a subscription to the Journal and who insist on reducing the bass level. SEATTLE 12 monthly newsletters. WEDNESDAY THRU Hon. Treasurer: MONDAY Mr. A. Hingley One of the most embarrassing 376 Wake Green Road things that can happen to an organist JULY 1-6, 1981 Moseley, is when the moment comes to start Birmingham 813, OBL, England playing and no sound comes forth when the keys are pressed. ATOSer

26 THEATRE ORGAN APRIL I MAY 1981